洪秀柱效應(yīng) (hongxiuzhu xiaoying): Hung Hsiu-chu effect

Hung Hsiu-chu has the required support of the public to be the ruling Kuomintang party's candidate in the coming leadership election in Taiwan, with an average rating of 46.2 percent in opinion polls.

According to the party's regulations, Hung, deputy head of the island's legislature, had to secure at least 30 percent support in the polls, otherwise the party would have looked for another candidate. Although Hung's nomination still has to be confirmed at a convention of KMT party delegates next month, it is very likely she will compete with the opposition Democratic Progressive Party's chairwoman Tsai Ing-wen in the election next year.

It has been only two months since Hung Hsui-chu's high-profile announcement of her candidacy, and her strong public support in the polls may influence Taiwan's political situation and cross-Straits relations.

Unlike previous KMT leaders who were usually from elite political families, Hung comes from the grassroots and has worked in the educational field for years, which may help the KMT establish a bond with those who are not so privileged.